HARBOR BOARD ELECTIONS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2409, 26 January 1909, Page 5

HARBOR BOARD ELECTIONS

FAREWELL SPEECHES.

After the ordinary business of the Harbor Board yesterday, the Chairman (Mr John Town ley) said lie wished to thank the members of the Board for the courtesy extended to him during the past year, and after the election was over he hoped they would all meet together again, that the good feeling would continue to exist, and. the Board would still work for the interests of the ratepayers. After Mr Harris had thanked the Chairman for his good wishes, Mr Lysnar said that when he was elected three years ago he, with Messrs Whinray and Hepburn, had promised to put the question of an outer harbor before the -ratepayers.' The Chairman had also made n similar pledge, hut neither he nor Mr Whinray had kept their word. Had they done so the question of an outer harbor would now be going to the vote. He hoped that ail the-members elected would be loyal to their promises. Looking at Mr. Whinray, Mr. Ly.snar said that if the ratepayers returned men who were false to their pledges they only had themselves to blame if the question was never put before them.

Air. Whinray: Let the Board come to sonic conclusion before putting the proposal before the ratepayers. Air. Lyshar: J hope every member returned will keep to Ins pledges at the Board.

Air. Sicvwright said the- ratepayers were the best judges of the notions of ■members, who always did their best when at the Board. It was useless for Mr. Lysnar to tell members that they did not understand the position, for other members took an interest in the outer harbor besides him. Air. Wbinray said Mr. Lysnar was a progressive man, but lie could not expect that every member would follow bis track blindly. There were many things in the question of all outer harbor that the Jloard were not certain about; and until members were sure of the scheme it was useless to put. it before the people. His advico was not to adopt- a scheme until the Board was sure it would be a success. He was certain that if lie asked the ratepayers to return him to the Board they would do so, confident that lie had served them well. Messrs Matthcwson and Hepburn also spoke in favor of members who would support the outer harbor proposals being returned, and members then wished each other good-bye.